Showing 1 - 10 of 20
Art against authority
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 16/07/2021
» We can all agree on one thing: this whole pandemic is a crapfest. The time when Thailand was lauded for successfully handling the first wave has long gone and we are in the throes of the third wave with daily cases almost hitting 10,000 (at least in the time of going to print), hospitals running out of beds for patients and vaccinations going at a snail's pace. The anger and fury directed at the government's handling of the third wave has reached boiling point and none are more vocal about it than political artists, who have found a home, voice and audience on Facebook. From tarot cards to 3D renders, here are a few artists who use their art to make their voices heard.
Love in the time of Covid
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 12/02/2021
» It's been over a year since Covid hit and sent the world into an unprecedented time of quarantines and lockdowns. It's affected everyone's life whether it's their jobs, their mental health or their relationships. There's no question that these are trying times for everyone, and while we spend the majority of the time at Guru being all snarky and sarcastic, the stories of kindness and love during the pandemic is enough to warm our cold, scornful hearts. And since St Valentine's Day is just around the corner, we figured that the world could do with a little less snarkiness and a little more love. Though the pandemic has forced us to stay apart, it has ironically also bound us closer together, and these stories are evidence of that. From furry best friends and long-distance relationships to engagements and growing closer to mum, here are a few pandemic love stories to remind you that love is still very much all around even in a pandemic.
Stranger things
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 09/10/2020
» Everyone loves a good conspiracy. There's a reason why Netflix has a bunch of them ready for you to binge like Unsolved Mysteries, which will rock you to your core at just how completely plausible they are and how they could easily happen to any of us.
Viral innovations
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 08/05/2020
» This pandemic has revealed a lot of things. For starters, booze is apparently a necessity and we were this close to rioting on the streets when it seemed like the ban wasn't about to be lifted. People who didn't give a crap about others were exposed but thankfully that was overshadowed by news of people helping out and being kind, decent human beings. We've realised just how much we rely on those who deliver our food, how much we miss travelling and whether we like to admit it or not, we actually miss going to work. To top this, the ingenuity of people has also been revealed and a bunch of new innovations have been created to help out as we try and recover from this life-altering state. This week, we've got innovations from Thailand that have sprung up in response to Corona time.
Helping the mind
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 27/03/2020
» Mental health is something that we aren't generally discussed in Thailand. It's a global issue and something that Thailand isn't spared from, but there seems to be a lack of awareness about it. Dr Kanpassorn Suriyasangpetch is set to change that.
Welcome to Jap-Am
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 06/03/2020
» Tokiojo's location over at the student-hub of Samyan Mitrtown is a "blink-and-you'll-miss-it" situation. It may not be too big, but at the risk of sounding provocative, size doesn't matter when the place gives off some cool, urban Tokyo street-side vibes.
Secret services
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 28/02/2020
» Bangkok is rapidly becoming a city with innovations that make life much easier. Yes, we at Guru have complained a lot about the city's many negative aspects but we also can't deny that the city has improved. Is there room for improvement? Oh, definitely. But there are many things that we use right now that we simply cannot imagine life without. What would life be without the services of GrabFood to deliver meals to your door or Shopee and Lazada to do your shopping from the comfort of your home? How about the Lock Box storage facilities we see in many BTS and MRT stations that help tourists roam without having to drag their luggage with them? Can we forget about the lifesaving GrabTaxi and GrabBike services? There are more services on the rise that you may not know about and that's what we're here to spotlight this week.
The plastic-less revolution
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 17/01/2020
» The first day of 2020 saw a major change in the lives of those who live in the Kingdom of Thailand: the (almost total) disappearance of single-use plastic bags. It's a huge change but a seemingly necessary one. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, Thailand is one of the four countries responsible for half of all plastic in the oceans in Southeast Asia. While 2019 saw a drastic drop in the use of plastic bag, the plan is to eliminate 225,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year. Single-use plastic bags are just the beginning though as bottle caps, cups and straws are next on the list. So what exactly are people saying about the ban? Is it absolutely necessary? What does it mean for customers who go grocery shopping? Are there ways to help lessen plastic waste? Hopefully, this clarifies some things and answers some of your questions.
Welcoming a new decade!
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 03/01/2020
» For those of you who may have missed it, we are in a new decade. Yes, you read that right. No, you are not hallucinating. Yes, we are all old. Welcome to the beginning of the 2020s where films like Back To The Future and Blade Runner are not just classics but the future worlds depicted in them are now effectively in the past; where years like 2050 and 2060 no longer sound ridiculous like they did back in the early 2000s and where those born in 2000 are 20 years old. It's a lot to take in, that's for sure. With every new year also comes the declarations of "New year, new me" posted all over social media and vocally announced at dinner tables everywhere. Resolutions are made and kept for a good two weeks or so before being thrown out the window. So instead of trying to expect things to happen that we aren't even sure will happen, let's take a look at the stuff that we're fairly certain will happen this year. Here's a couple of things to look forward to this 2020.
Thai pride
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 15/11/2019
» Thailand is well-known around the world for a number of things: beautiful beaches, great food and extremely friendly people, to name a few. It's also home to a variety of homegrown talent be it in the entertainment industry or elsewhere. Sure, you can probably name a bunch off the top of your head that people go gaga for right here in the country, but there's also a number of them who are pretty well-known internationally, some of whom you may not be aware of. Either way, these are people who are making their motherland proud and whose works are worthy to be celebrated. From make-up artists to cake designers, here are Thais who are getting recognition locally and internationally for their work.